Having developed these coping mechanisms during 30 years of Clippers fandom, I now find it difficult to believe that Lob City is anything more than a mirage. We’ve been teased before, of course, notably during those few brief days when it seemed that free-agent signing Baron Davis might get the chance to feed Elton Brand in the post. When Brand opted to break our hearts by signing with the Sixers, no bona fide Clippers fan was surprised — we accept that our lot in life is to have contentment snatched away from us at the last moment, much like Tantalus never quite being able to grasp that fruit branch in hell. And so I fear that a sudden stroke of misfortune will doom this winning Clippers team that has brought me so much joy. Perhaps Chris Paul’s oft-repaired legs will permanently turn to Jell-O. Or Blake Griffin will suddenly forget all he’s learned about playing with his back to the basket. Or Donald Sterling will scare away a crucial free agent by once again saying something shockingly boorish or racist.

I just read over on hoops hype that the Clippers have emerged as the front runner for Granger.

It’s probably a good thing, but I was just looking at his stats and he’s sure not what he use to be. He’s only shooting 36% from the field this season, well below the 46% he was shooting in his prime. His 3 point shooting this season is 33%, which also is well below his prime when was shooting 40% in 3s for a season. Also people are saying his defense is way down this season because of the injury and the Indiana coach usually had him guard the opponent’s worse scorer on the court.

So for me, if the Clippers get him good since he likely will be better than some of the current bench players, but if he goes somewhere else, it won’t be that big of a miss.

Bongstradamus

Psychologically, he went through a lot.

He was on the Olympic team, won a Gold, was the franchise player on the Pacers and life was awesome. Then an injury happened. Paul George happened. Coming off the bench happened. Everything changed.

Let’s just start with being the top dog. Being the Alpha on a team requires a ton of mental effort. You have to believe you are the best. You have to believe you are tossing a pebble into the ocean. You have to take ownership for losing as well as winning. You have to answer the lame questions of the press as sweat is pouring down your face, you can hardly breathe and you got more funk than Parliament. You cant be going to strip clubs with an 8-ball in your pocket and a 50 person entourage. You’re the face of the franchise. The one staying positive and spinning some crap about the future while your team is 32-50.

Then injury happens. All that comes into question. Will I be able to be the same player as before? Do I have the will to get up every morning and dedicate every fiber of my being to rehabbing (and going through immense pain in the process)? That’s just recovering from the injury. Many players just dont recover. Some bounce back. Make no mistake, its all an overwhelmingly difficult psychological challenge that is far too underappreciated by the public.

So imagine coming back and not being what you were when you left. That someone else, who you trained and love dearly, is now the top dog. And the team you gave everything for your entire career has clearly moved onto a path that doesnt necessarily include you anymore. On top of coming back from injury. Not knowing where or how you fit anymore, nor even if you have completely gotten your game back. Holy brain f#@$ Batman!

What Danny Granger needs is a team to play him. Believe in him. And provide him with a defined role, solid goals and aspirations with no additional pressure other than to play. We’re that team. We have our alpha dogs. We need a guy who can play the position he plays and can do the things he could do in his prime. And potentially a future contract in the offseason if he fits in. And it’s LA!

We’re almost the perfect place for him to come back and really find himself. It’s another low risk, huge reward possibility. We’ve been complaining about needing a 3 for years. Danny Granger is guy a franchise was built around. I see a win-win in the short and long term here.

http://2epicbits.com/ theSUBVERSIVE

“(…) it won’t be that big of a miss.”.

Such a conclusion with so little because that’s how you analyse a player’s potential.